Gilas Pilipinas bucked a slow start to open the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers on a strong note. They will next face Chinese Taipei at home.
Gilas Pilipinas kicked into high gear in the third period en route to a win over Hong Kong in their 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers first window opener on Thursday, 94-64.
Justin Brownlee was at the forefront of Gilas’ assault with 16 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals before Filipino fans at the Tsuen Wan Sports Centre in Hong Kong.
Kevin Quiambao added 15 points, but made most of them in the fourth quarter to ensure Gilas had the win in the bag. He also had three rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
In the absence of injured big men June Mar Fajardo (calf) and AJ Edu (meniscus), Kai Sotto handled matters well in the shaded area and finished with a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds. Scottie Thompson didn't need to score as much to make his presence felt as he dished out nine assists to go with five points and two rebounds.
The Filipino contingent needed two quarters to heat up before going off 30-9 in the pivotal penultimate period that turned a tight game into a breakaway.
It didn’t come easy for Gilas at the start.
Hong Kong heated up from downtown and kept in step with their Filipino counterparts in the first 20 minutes of action.
In fact, Hong Kong even took a 30-29 lead after Sui Hung Yeung’s three-pointer at the 5:05 mark of the second period.
But the home team could only do so much, with Gilas going on rampage beginning in the third period and never looked back.
Even though Hong Kong strung together eight straight points to start the fourth period, 73-54, Brownlee and company were quick to restore order.
Shi Wah Leung paced Hong Kong with 15 points. Oliver Xu added 13 points, three rebounds, and four assists, while Duncan Reid had 12 points and five rebounds.
Gilas will next face Chinese Taipei in Group B on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
It will be aired live at 7:30 p.m. on One Sports, One Sports+, RPTV, and the Pilipinas Live app.